Side Letter in Sales Deal Leads to SEC Fraud Suit

Last week the SEC announced that it had filed a civil lawsuit against a former Logicon executive who allegedly placed a $7 million order with Legato Systems that included a secret side letter giving Logicon the right to cancel its purchase. According to the SEC, the Logicon executive not only knew that Legato planned to fraudulently misstate its financial results, he even advised Legato’s sales people how to conceal the cancellation right from the Legato finance department.

LESSON: The SEC’s news release quoted Helane L. Morrison, District Administrator for the Commission’s San Francisco District Office, as saying, “Sales executives who book phony deals often rely on assistance from people who work for their customers. Today’s action highlights the Commission’s resolve to hold such persons responsible when they knowingly assist in fraudulent revenue recognition practices.”